Mount Dora, FL — Joseph Brancaleone passed on to eternal peace on Sunday, July 14, 2013. He was surrounded by his family.
Joseph was born into a prominent fishing family of Gloucester. He spent many of his early years fishing alongside his father, Nino Brancaleone, and other relatives and friends. He learned the trade and eventually became captain of the Joseph and Lucia II. After witnessing firsthand the decline in the fishing industry, Joseph became heavily involved in the efforts to restore the ocean’s supply of fish for future generations of commercial fisherman in the Gloucester area. Joe was eventually elected chairman of the New England Fishery Management Council. He worked hard to help preserve the ocean’s supply of fish for future families to prosper as his father, uncles, grandfather and others had in previous years.
Joe continued to be involved with the New England Fishery Management Council while working full time as a district manager for a restaurant chain. During this time, he lived in Magnolia, Mass., where he spent time with his beloved wife, Jeana, and their two daughters and grandchildren. In addition to photography and working in his garden, Joe was fond of family gatherings and always kept everyone smiling with his wonderful storytelling and hilarious jokes.
After enduring many years of New England winters, Joseph and Jeana decided to move to a warmer climate, settling in the beautiful town of Mount Dora, Fla. In Florida, Joseph worked at The Home Depot, designing new kitchens for clients; a job that he was not only adept at, but enjoyed immensely. In addition to working, Joseph spent a great deal of time working in his beautiful yard, spending time with his parents and friends, swimming with his wife, Jeana, whom he still adored after decades of marriage, playing with his dogs, Lucy and Mack, and perfecting his Chicken Marsala recipe, a favorite of anyone who had the pleasure of eating this dish.
Everyone who met Joe liked him. His wonderful sense of humor, excellent manners, integrity, and humble attitude are just a few of the personality traits that drew people to him, often resulting in lasting friendships.
Joe enjoyed music and those that knew him in his younger years can attest to his incredible singing voice. The fact that Joseph used to sing in a band often came as a surprise to many people as he was quite shy. In fact, Joe recently surprised and delighted a bunch of coworkers at a holiday party when he got up to sing.
Even after Joseph’s initial diagnosis, he continued to live his life with an incredibly positive attitude, refusing to let it get him down. All through treatment, his only concern was for his family. Joseph was very loved and will be missed by many.
Joseph is survived by his wife and best friend of 44 years, Jeana; his two daughters, Nina Azarian (husband, Charles) and Joette Garcia (husband, Antony); his parents, Antonino and Antonina Brancaleone; his sister, Lucia Duff (husband, Robert); his four grandchildren, Joseph, Aaron, and Shannon Azarian, and Elias Garcia; as well as dear friends, James and Janice Clark.
ARRANGEMENTS: A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, July 22, 2013, at 9 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 6803 Old 441 Road, Mount Dora, Fla. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following charities in Joseph’s name: Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778, or National Kidney Foundation Finance Department, 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016, 212-889-2310 (fax).
